Why Event Shows Still Matter (And Why Everyone’s Talking About NWES)
Are you finding face to face time with your clients and partners? Or do you find yourself stuck at your desk?
In an industry built on connections, you can only do so much from behind a screen.
Yes, emails get sent. Video meetings help. Calendars get filled. Ideas get shared. But the real magic? That happens in person.
That’s why event shows still matter. And why, year after year, the Northwest Event Show (NWES) continues to be one of the most important gatherings in the Pacific Northwest event community.
In fact, just last week, NWES was named “Best Meeting or Conference” at the 2026 Emerald City Applause Awards by International Live Events Association Seattle Chapter.
That recognition says it all. And so much more.
More Than a Show, It’s Where the Industry Comes Together
The planners who bring the hard questions. The suppliers who bring the solutions. The conversations that turn into real collaboration. That’s what NWES is all about.
It’s not just about walking a show floor—it’s about:
Discovering what’s new and next
Building relationships that actually move business forward
Seeing ideas come to life in real time
Or, as our Sales Leader LaShann Ross puts it:
“The show is the best time of the year to see all the familiar faces all together at once, and see what’s hot and new in the event space.”
Sales Leader LaShann Ross with friends from Sugar & Spoon at last years NWES
“The show is the best time of the year to see all the familiar faces all together at once, and see what’s hot and new in the event space.”
Why Attending Event Shows Is a Smart Move
For planners, executive assistants, and corporate teams, attending an event show isn’t just a day out of the office, it’s a strategic investment. You get:
Real-time inspiration (not just Pinterest boards)
Face-to-face conversations that fast-track decision-making
Hands-on experiences with vendors and activations
A pulse on trends shaping the future of events
And maybe most importantly, you get to experience what your attendees will feel. Because great events aren’t built from spreadsheets. They’re built from moments.
Compass Is Showing Up Big This Year
This year, Compass is bringing more than just a booth, we’re bringing the full experience.
We’re proud to be representing both of our amazing arms of business:
Compass Team Building (our newest brand, focused on custom-designed, expert facilitated, connection-driven team building)
Compass Outdoor Adventures (our flagship brand rooted in expert-led experiences for almost 20 years)
And honestly? It just makes sense.
Over the past few years, NWES heard it again and again: “We need more team-building options.”
So here we are, bringing team building directly to the show floor in a way that’s interactive, engaging, and actually fun.
Beyond the Booth: We’re All In
This year, we’re not just attending, we’re participating across the entire NWES experience.
Our Program Manager Courtenay Brimer shared:
“It’s been amazing working more deeply with the NWES team, and we’re excited to have a booth this year as well as participate in the additional events.”
You’ll find us at:
Monday’s Culinary Connections
Wednesday all day at the show, the booth right next to the main stage
Thursday’s Open House and Team Building Excursion in partnership with South Fork North Bend
And yes! We’re especially excited about that last one.
“We’re especially excited to highlight team building at South Fork, highlighting just how close North Bend really is, only 27 minutes from Seattle,” she added.
Compass Program Manager Courtenay Brimer with one of her facilitator extraordinares, Deanna.
“It’s been amazing working more deeply with the NWES team, and we’re excited to have a booth this year as well as participate in the additional events. We’re especially excited to highlight team building at South Fork, highlighting just how close North Bend really is, only 27 minutes from Seattle”
Because sometimes the best experiences aren’t far away, they’re just waiting to be discovered.
Why This Matters
Events like NWES remind us why this industry works.
It’s not just logistics. It’s not just production. It’s people.
It’s the conversations that spark ideas. The experiences that create connection. The moments that turn into something bigger.
And that’s exactly what we’re here to do.
Ready to Join the Action?
NWES 2026 | April 28–30 | Seattle (link to get tickets)
Use our code for 20% off tickets, and make sure to stop by Booth #225 (right next to the main stage).
Come say hi. Or better yet…give us a high five!
We’ll be ready.